Cinder: Book One of the Lunar Chronicles

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.... Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle.

The Time Traveler's Wife

Clare and Henry have known each other since Clare was six and Henry was 36. They were married when Clare was 23 and Henry was 31. Impossible but true, because Henry is one of the first people diagnosed with Chrono-Displacement Disorder: periodically his genetic clock resets and he finds himself misplaced in time, pulled to moments of emotional gravity from his life, past and future. His disappearances are spontaneous, his experiences unpredictable, alternately harrowing and amusing.

Neverwhere

Richard Mayhew is an unassuming young businessman living in London, with a dull job and a pretty but shrewish fiancée. Then one night he stumbles upon a girl lying on the sidewalk, bleeding. He stops to help her, and his life is changed forever. Soon he finds himself living in a London most people would never have dreamed of: a city of monsters and saints, murderers and angels. It is a world that exists entirely in a subterranean labyrinth of sewer canals and abandoned subway stations.

Paper Towns

Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life - dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge - he follows.

The Hobbit

Like every other hobbit, Bilbo Baggins likes nothing better than a quiet evening in his snug hole in the ground, dining on a sumptuous dinner in front of a fire. But when a wandering wizard captivates him with tales of the unknown, Bilbo becomes restless. Soon he joins the wizard’s band of homeless dwarves in search of giant spiders, savage wolves, and other dangers. Bilbo quickly tires of the quest for adventure and longs for the security of his familiar home. But before he can return to his life of comfort, he must face the greatest threat of all.

Timebound

When Kate Pierce-Keller’s grandmother gives her a strange blue medallion and speaks of time travel, sixteen-year-old Kate assumes the old woman is delusional. But it all becomes horrifyingly real when a murder in the past destroys the foundation of Kate’s present-day life. Suddenly, that medallion is the only thing protecting Kate from blinking out of existence. Kate learns that the 1893 killing is part of something much more sinister, and her genetic ability to time travel makes Kate the only one who can fix the future.

The Never Hero: The Chronicles of Jonathan Tibbs, Book 1

Reclusive college student Jonathan Tibbs wakes in a pool of blood, not a scratch on him. His life is about to undergo a massive shift. A violent and merciless otherworldly enemy unleashes slaughter in the streets, calling out in a language only he understands. And it is seeking its challenger. In order to defeat the threat, Jonathan must become a temporal weapon...while remaining completely anonymous. Unfortunately, harnessing off-world powers has its own special challenges...

Skinwalker: Jane Yellowrock, Book 1

Jane Yellowrock is the last of her kind-a skinwalker of Cherokee descent who can turn into any creature she desires and hunts vampires for a living. But now she's been hired by Katherine Fontaneau, one of the oldest vampires in New Orleans and the madam of Katie's Ladies, to hunt a powerful rogue vampire who's killing other vamps.

Clockwork Angel: The Infernal Devices, Book 1

When 16-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

The Obsession

Naomi Bowes lost her innocence the night she followed her father into the woods. In freeing the girl trapped in the root cellar, Naomi revealed the horrible extent of her father's crimes and made him infamous. Now a successful photographer living under the name Naomi Carson, she has found a place that calls to her, thousands of miles away from everything she's ever known. Naomi wants to embrace the solitude, but the residents of Sunrise Cove keep forcing her to open up - especially the determined Xander Keaton.

The Assassin's Blade: The Throne of Glass Novellas

Celaena Sardothien is her kingdom's most feared assassin. Though she works for the powerful and ruthless Assassin's Guild, Celaena yields to no one and trusts only her fellow killer for hire, Sam. When Celaena's scheming master, Arobynn Hamel, dispatches her on missions that take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, she finds herself acting independently of his wishes - and questioning her own allegiance. Along the way, she makes friends and enemies alike, and discovers that she feels far more for Sam than just friendship.

Red Rising

Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations. Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children. But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and sprawling parks spread across the planet.

Jane Eyre

Following Jane from her childhood as an orphan in Northern England through her experience as a governess at Thornfield Hall, Charlotte Brontë's Gothic classic is an early exploration of women's independence in the mid-19th century and the pervasive societal challenges women had to endure. At Thornfield, Jane meets the complex and mysterious Mr. Rochester, with whom she shares a complicated relationship that ultimately forces her to reconcile the conflicting passions of romantic love and religious piety.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: The Chronicles of Narnia

Lucy is the first to find the secret of the wardrobe in the professor's mysterious old house. At first her brothers and sister don't believe her when she tells of her visit to the land of Narnia. But soon Edmund, then Peter and Susan step through the wardrobe themselves. In Narnia they find a country buried under the evil enchantment of the White Witch.

Whiskey Beach

For more than 300 years, Bluff House has sat above Whiskey Beach, guarding its shore - and its secrets. But to Eli Landon, it’s home.… A Boston lawyer, Eli has weathered an intense year of public scrutiny and police investigations after being accused of - but never arrested for - the murder of his soon-to-be-ex wife. He finds sanctuary at Bluff House, even though his beloved grandmother is in Boston recuperating from a nasty fall. Abra Walsh is always there, though.

Steel World: Undying Mercenaries, Book 1

In the 20th century Earth sent probes, transmissions, and welcoming messages to the stars. Unfortunately, someone noticed. The Galactics arrived with their battle fleet in 2052. Rather than being exterminated under a barrage of hell-burners, Earth joined their vast Empire. Swearing allegiance to our distant alien overlords wasn't the only requirement for survival. We also had to have something of value to trade, something that neighboring planets would pay their hard-earned credits to buy. As most of the local worlds were too civilized to have a proper army, the only valuable service Earth could provide came in the form of soldiers....

The Atlantis Gene: The Origin Mystery, Book 1

Seventy thousand years ago, the human race almost went extinct. We survived, but no one knows how.

Until now. The countdown to the next stage of human evolution is about to begin, and humanity might not survive this time. The Immari are good at keeping secrets. For 2,000 years, they've hidden the truth about human evolution. They've also searched for an ancient enemy - a threat that could wipe out the human race. Now the search is over.

Deception Point: A Novel

When a NASA satellite discovers an astonishingly rare object buried deep in the Arctic ice, the floundering space agency proclaims a much-needed victory, a victory with profound implications for NASA policy and the impending presidential election. To verify the authenticity of the find, the White House calls upon the skills of intelligence analyst Rachel Sexton. Accompanied by a team of experts, including the charismatic scholar Michael Tolland, Rachel travels to the Arctic and uncovers the unthinkable.

Lucifer's Hammer

The gigantic comet had slammed into Earth, forging earthquakes a thousand times too powerful to measure on the Richter scale, tidal waves thousands of feet high. Cities were turned into oceans; oceans turned into steam. It was the beginning of a new Ice Age and the end of civilization. But for the terrified men and women chance had saved, it was also the dawn of a new struggle for survival--a struggle more dangerous and challenging than any they had ever known....

Debt of Bones

A milestone of storytelling set in the world of The Sword of Truth, Debt of Bones is the story of young Abby's struggle to win the aid of the wizard Zedd Zorander, the most important man alive. Abby is trapped, not only between both sides of the war, but in a mortal conflict between two powerful men. For Zedd, who commands power most men can only imagine, granting Abby's request would mean forsaking his sacred duty. With the storm of the final battle about to save the life of a child....

The Last Mission of the Living

Vanguard Lindsay Rooney has faced the undead hordes of Inferi Scourge and lived to tell the tale, but she has also suffered horrible losses. Like millions of other civilians, she had hoped that The Bastion would recover after a team of modified soldiers eradicated the undead hordes of Inferi Scourge that infested their valley. Yet the city still crumbles around them, along with any chance of survival.

Steelheart: The Reckoners, Book 1

Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics. But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his wills. Nobody fights the Epics...nobody but the Reckoners. A shadowy group of ordinary humans, they spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them. And David wants in. He wants Steelheart - the Epic who is said to be invincible. The Epic who killed David's father.

14

There are some odd things about Nate’s new apartment. Of course, he has other things on his mind. He hates his job. He has no money in the bank. No girlfriend. No plans for the future. So while his new home isn’t perfect, it’s livable. The rent is low, the property managers are friendly, and the odd little mysteries don’t nag at him too much. At least, not until he meets Mandy, his neighbor across the hall, and notices something unusual about her apartment. And Xela’s apartment. And Tim’s. And Veek’s.

Written in Red: A Novel of the Others

As a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, Meg Corbyn can see the future when her skin is cut - a gift that feels more like a curse. Meg's Controller keeps her enslaved so he can have full access to her visions. But when she escapes, the only safe place Meg can hide is at the Lakeside Courtyard - a business district operated by the Others. Shape-shifter Simon Wolfgard is reluctant to hire the stranger who inquires about the Human Liaison job.

Publisher's Summary

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Earth has been invaded by a species that takes over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too-vivid memories.

But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves - Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love.

Okay... it didn't surprise me as in twists and turns - I could see most of it coming - but by how much I liked this. I'm not usually a fan of slow narrated stuff (bought it in a post-Twilight moment of insanity), but this book still sucked me right on in.
I especially liked the fact that the author didn't seize every opportunity to make a disastrous cliff hanger of every situation. Everything just keeps working out, which is actually nice. The interest comes from the commentary on human nature - the story isn't particularly deep and meaningful, but it does make you think a little.
Look forward to the sequel.

I loved this book. After having the cover of The Host starring at me all the while I was reading the Twilight Series, I had to read it. I love Wanderer. The rollercoaster of emotions that was her plight with the humans and the choices she makes. A great read/listen.

Sometime intricate detail can be captivating and create a technicolor vision. This is not one of those times. Long winded, frankly boring descriptions with minimal actual plot progression creates such relief when something actually occurs in the story that it can be mistaken for enjoyment. I have listened to over 100 files from Audible and this is one of the 5 most tedious and boring... Sorry, but the more I heard the more I wish I had waited to read reviews (it was a new release when I purchased it).

The first time I started listening I got tired after about an hour, did not really understand what was happening and I had expecte something else ... Then I gave it another chance, which I absolutely do not regret! The story is superb, you laugh and cry. is among the best I've ever heard and read. listen right now on the book for the second time!

What other book might you compare The Host to and why?

Can't think of someone..

What about Kate Reading’s performance did you like?

everything!!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When they accepted the wanderer and when they took away the soul of the young woman, but saved it, if for the original soul wasen't still in the body, and when Wanda helped to get antibiotics....and EVERYTING!!

I originally read The Host after dipping into Twilight a few years back, before the films were released. The plot, in my opinion, is far superior and believable and I have read it again several times while Twilight grows dusty on my book shelves. I was looking for an audio book that I didn't have to concentrate on (for listening to when doing a task that demanded greater concentration at times) and so picked 'The Host' as I was very familiar with the story. Initially, I was very disappointed in Kate Reading's performance as Wanderer. I found, like another reviewer noted, she was stilted. However, it was only a few chapters in that I realised that this was actually necessary given the nature of Wanderer and by mid-way through the book I was grateful for Kate Reading's clear distinction between characters. Don't be put off in those first few chapters! Keep at it, and you will see what I mean.

I enjoyed this audio book, this being the first I have listened to. I loved the Twilight series, but with HOST was a bit disappointed - the reactions of the characters at times seems a little unrealistic and over-exaggerated. They somehow seemd two dimensional at times, not believable. There were places I found a little monotonous however the storyline kept me interested and at times I found myself keen to keep listening, or thinking about the characters... Worth it for good escapism - I would certainly "read" any sequels to this!

When I read this book, I was so excited to then buy this on audio. What a disappointment. It was narrated very badly, short and stilted. I'm so annoyed that I paid money for this, it could have been done so well. I wish I'd had a listen to the sample before, but I was too excited.

I had never come accross Stephanie Meyer before, and I was very pleasantly surprised. This is science-fiction at its best. At a basic level this is a survival thriller. But Meyer uses the premise that human beings are possessed by aliens to skillfully explore xenophobia, prejudice, loyalty, betrayal, love, cruelty, kindness, altruism, selfishness, and the meaning of humanity.
The book is written from the viewpoint of an alien possessor, and the action, physical and psychological, moves at a good clip, which made it compulsive listening for me.
The narrator deserves special praise too, she acts out the parts with care and skill, getting the voice characterisations and the inflexions just right.
Whether you want a provocative and thought-provoking story or just a gripping yarn, I can thoroughly recommend this audiobook.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Nadia

Fleet, United Kingdom

3/6/09

Overall

"The Host"

This book by Stephenie Meyer, author of the aclaimed Twilight Saga, is a deeply moving story about what it means to be human. Aliens have conquered Earth and taken over the minds of humans. Most humans have submitted, but there are some who resist. When Wanderer is driven by her resistant human host to seek sanctuary among the people her host once knew, she faces rejection, hatred and violence, but also discovers the meaning of true love and friendship. This is a science fiction tale which is not my usual fair, but I thought it was very well written and I found the characters both complex and engaging.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Francesca

Goole, United Kingdom

3/16/13

Overall

"Annoying voice"

Absolutely brilliant book, almost unrecognizable to the style of the twilight series. This book is worlds above them. However the voice of the narrator draws attention away from the story at points because of unnecessarily exaggerated inflections which are not easy to listen to.

That, however, doesn't stop The Host being an excellent, thought provoking listen! Picking up from the credits of most bodysnatcher movies, you're transported into the body of Melanie and the mind of Wanderer. Melanie and her 'Soul' form a bizarre union, searching for Melanie's lost love. The Host casts an inetersting new light on the 'love triangle' whilst posing some interesting philosphical questions about whether the person is contained in the body, conscious, or conscience.
Kate Reading has an upward vocal inflection, which I found quite irritating to start with, but once she started expanding the character range it became less noticable.

If you started with Twilight, I suspect you will buy this regardless, but if you have seen your children become obsessed and want to know what all the fuss is about, I would start here.

13 of 14 people found this review helpful

Christopher

Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom

7/22/08

Overall

"Original"

An original and accomplished story which is beutifully narated.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Kimberley Williams

9/7/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Better than Twilight by FAR."

What made the experience of listening to The Host the most enjoyable?

I thoroughly enjoyed the novel 'The Host' and thought that the audio-book would be a bit of fun, background stuff yadda yadda and instead I had to carefully portion my time to listen to it - the emotions run higher when you can hear the words spoken and as so much of the story is about a persons heart and soul, and the fate of the dwindling human race, the emotional content tends to run high and it was wonderful, I'm still mourning having finished it - my first audio-book hangover if you will.

What did you like best about this story?

Unlike Twilight (which I confess I do enjoy as a guilty pleasure) this story sticks to the pre-established trope that Body-snatchers etc have introduced us to over the years - a symbiotic race steals our bodies and our planet etc - but that's where the likeness ends.

Wanderer, our main character is one of a race who explore the galaxy and bond with creatures to learn and absorb and improve their cultures, having taken Earth before we can destroy it and ourselves to boot.

It's got romantic elements, it's even rife with Meyer's predilection for love triangles but the main love story is of Wanda/Wanderer and humanity; for all our brutish ways and hot blooded emotions nothing converts her like the love between humans and particularly her Host's lingering love for her little brother, a love so strong it converts Wanda from gentle Soul, to quietly stubborn heroine.

The film didn't do the book justice sadly (too much content for a two hour film methinks) but the audio book was so good I may leave my paperback to gather dust in favour of a re-listen versus a reread - it's a heartwarming sci-fi tale of love for each other and our planet both and I cannot recommend it enough :)

What about Kate Reading’s performance did you like?

I particularly enjoyed the way Kate Reading intoned Wanderer's words with the sense of being new to the language, hesitations and stresses on things that were glossed straight over in her 'Mel' voice, not to mention her wide range of differing tones and accents made for a believable cast with both male and female characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Having read the book before I didn't think anything was likely to surprise or move me but Kate Reading's depiction of Walter made me cry my face off, as did Wanda's final deal with Doc - it was a wonderful story overall but to be moved by something you already know will happen is particularly amazing.

Any additional comments?

I loved this audio book, I loved the book and I don't think either get the recognition they deserve, I sincerely hope more people will give either version a try because two empowered heroine's in one body fighting for the people and the planet they love beats Twilight any day.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Ligs

Claix, France

6/18/10

Overall

"Excellent"

I felt the narrator did an outstanding job with all the characters voices. The unfamiliar inflections and tones that the narrator uses with Wanderers voice in the first part of the book, I think was intended to illustrate the fact that Wanderer was alien and not used to the language..she changes this as the book progresses. Anyway, I did not find the narrators voice irritating at all..I very much enjoyed this book and would recommend it as an easy, enjoyable and entertaining listen.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Deborah

Chipping Norton, United Kingdom

11/23/09

Overall

"Excellent!"

This was an engrossing and interesting listen. It starts slowly but once it gets going (and it does get going) it doesn't stop. I listen at the gym, and one day even found I'd done 4 minutes over my time on the treadmill I was so caught up in things!
I sort of guessed how the end might be resolved, and womanfully avoided picking copies of the book up in my library or local Smiths just to see if I was right (I was, in a way).
What was nice was that there was no contrived badness to interrupt what was essentially a book about learning who, and what you are, and how that affects those you love.
The only problem now is, after over 20 hours of listening I'm going to really struggle to get into another audio-book.
This is beautifully read with lovely characterisation - she copes with the main characters brilliantly, doing crotchety old men, teen boys, women and men, staying in character throughout. Well worth the pennies and well worth listening to - go buy!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Quynh

Tamworth, United Kingdom

2/8/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Brilliantly written, beautiful characters"

Where does The Host rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my favourite listens. I have listened to it half a dozen times.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main character(s) Wanda and Melanie Stryder, Meyer has definitely captured the nuances of each character fantastically.These two characters, although they share the same body, are entirely their own person.Wanda is the soul that has been drafted into Melanie's body; she is mild mannered, timid and painfully kind to everyone.Melanie is smart, strong willed and has spent years on the run, she has a no-nonsense and outspoken attitude.Wanda/Melanie are very strong characters in their own right.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Moments of laughing out loud, moments of gripping emotion and connections with characters.I fell in love with most of the characters in the caves, Jeb is delightfully mad, Jamie is heart achingly sweet, Jared is fiery and enigmatic and Ian is loyal and strong.

Any additional comments?

Narration was outstanding, Kate Reading really did all of the characters' voices incredibly well. Wanda and Melanie are given different voices that do justice to their temperament.A great story about, humanity, survival and everything that is good and bad about being human.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Peter

Llanelli, United Kingdom

3/15/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"The Host"

Would you listen to The Host again? Why?

Simply wonderful, very well written and very well narrated had me totally captivated after listening for about 20 minutes.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Sadly I watched the film after listening to the book and found the film sadly lacking :(

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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